Riviera Maya: Travel Tips

Mexico’s Caribbean includes four distinct choices: Cancún, a modern resort with plenty of shopping, sightseeing, and dining options; Cozumel, an idyllic Caribbean island famous for day trips and good food; Mérida, a colonial city with easy access to Mayan ruins; and the Riviera Maya, a broad area south of Cancún that includes the village of Playa del Carmen plus newer developments near the area’s eco-parks.

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Getting To Riviera Maya

High season runs mid-December to Easter, plus spring break. Trade winds keep the coast cool during summer, though interior jungles are hot and humid.

Flight times

Cancun is 3.5 hours from Chicago, 4 hours from New York, 4.5 hours from Los Angeles

Drive times

Cancun Airport to Playa del Carmen: 50 minutes

Cancun to Tulum: 2 hours

Ferries

Cancun to Isla Mujeres: 12 per day, 40-minute trip

Cozumel to Playa del Carmen: 14 per day, 30-minute trip

Staying In Riviera Maya

Experience the Riviera Maya. The area offers extraordinary scenic beauty and a rare collection of wildlife. The Riviera Maya eco-parks—Xel-Há, Xcaret, and Tres Rios—offer visitors a chance to see many species of plants and animals found nowhere else on the planet.

Must-see sights in the area

The Riviera Maya eco-parks—Xel-Há, Xcaret, and Tres Rios—offer visitors a chance to see many species of plants and animals found nowhere else on the planet.

Long before plush resorts came to town, travelers trekked to the Yucatán to see the Mayan ruins at Chichén Itzá, Uxmal, and Tulúm. Don’t miss these ancient wonders.

Traveling In Riviera Maya

Classic Vacations offers a variety of transportation options throughout the Riviera Maya in order to make your Mexico vacation truly spectacular. Shuttle transfers, taxis and rental cars are available in all the major destinations in Mexico.

While traveling in the Riviera Maya we recommend:

Rent a car- We offer vehicles to suit every taste, including sporty convertibles, roomy minivans, and luxury sedans. And our red-carpet transfers can let you start relaxing without a hitch.

Shuttle service - a convenient and inexpensive way to transfer from the airport to your hotel.

Things to Know

Currency

The national currency of Mexico is the peso, but in tourist areas, U.S. dollars are accepted just as readily as pesos.

Money and traveler's checks can be exchanged in banks.

ATMs are very common in the Riviera Maya and are the easiest source for cash.

Time Difference

The Riviera Maya is in the Central Time Zone and observes daylight savings time.